Director Ryan Coogler received a NATO of CA/NV
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Introducing Ryan Coogler:
Ryan Coogler was a 22 year old, first year production MFA candidate at USC when he was awarded the NATO of CA/NV - USC SCA Fund for Student Support grant in 2008. He moved to Los Angeles in January 2007 after finishing up his undergraduate studies at California State University, Sacramento. In college, Ryan majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and was also a four-year starter as wide receiver for the Hornet's football team. In addition to being a team captain, and all conference player in 2007, Ryan was selected a a semifinalist for the Drady Award (also known as the academic Hiesman). It was while attending Sacramento State, that Ryan also found a passion for writing screenplays, and taking extra courses that could teach him the production skills to bring these screenplays to life. This passion led him to apply to USC in the hopes of gaining the knowledge to someday start a production company in the neighborhoods of the East Bay Area, where he was born and raised. |
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"Please accept my gratitude for your tremendous benevolence and generosity. This scholarship that you, The National Association of Theatre Owners of California/Nevada, have provided me with has provided me with the financial needs, and spiritual motivation to continue my journey at this prestigious university. Before learning news of this scholarship, I was not sure if I would be able to continue realizing this dream. Because I had run into tough times financially, and my family was not in a position to provide me with additional support, I was facing the harsh reality of having to move back home to Richmond, CA and find work outside of the industry. My hopes and dreams would have had to be put on hold. But the news of the NATO grant not only enabled me to continue learning my craft, but it gave me the boost of confidence I needed to return this semester and focus all my attention on quality storytelling.
When I learned of my acceptance to this program, I moved to Los Angeles with no family, and no home. For the first two weeks of school I was without a place to live. My friends and family back home questioned why I would give up football, and a potential business career, to move to a place where I had nothing, knew no one, and would have to completely start from scratch. Truthfully, it was faith that brought me out here. Fath and the desire to tell the stories of people whose voices too often go unheard in the theaters of America. And with this scholarship, NATO has provided me with evidence that my decision was not a mistake. I thank you for that."
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